Enhancing Engagement With Faculty and Staff to Facilitate Student Success: An Evaluation of a Parent Intervention

Abstract

Many low-income and first-generation students who enroll in college experience less desirable outcomes during their first year. Researchers have increasingly investigated the important role of college knowledge and engagement with faculty and staff for student success. Through a randomized controlled trial intervention, this study leverages the relationship between parents and students to encourage student engagement with faculty and staff during the first year of college. Results of a survey administered to treatment and control students show positive effects of this low-cost, light-touch intervention on parent–student discussions, student attitudes, and intent to persist into the second year of college.